The Bog Island Gambit: A Chance for Reclamation

Women, always women! The deep concern in Arthur's azure eyes left Du Chen no doubt: the rumors were true. Even Lionheart Alonso, once hailed alongside the Martial Venerable as the twin paragons of the Skylands, had not escaped the honeyed trap, degenerating from a brilliant ruler into an incompetent tyrant, a despot!

It seemed the tale of a femme fatale was universal across all worlds, as long as men and women, beautiful women, existed in them.

Arthur casually tossed a few Silver Coins onto the table to cover the drinks, then rose with a wry smile. "Don't ask me. I truly don't want to talk about that woman!"

Du Chen entirely understood his feelings. Arthur, who had endured countless snubs in his youth, was now a young hero in his prime, inevitably somewhat proud and haughty. Why should Du Chen prod at a family disgrace that was not meant for outsiders?

Just then, a servant from the Batuk Family knocked on the door, delivering a message. "Honored guests, our Old Master is about to proceed to the Exquisite Pagoda. Please make haste yourselves!"

Arthur's brow furrowed. "So soon? There's still so much left unsaid!" He glanced at the sky, lowering his voice. "I'll cut it short then. To seize control of the sea lanes in the Skylands' northwestern quadrant, our military command devised a plan! However, since you just mentioned Bog Island, I've subtly revised the plan a bit, and haven't had a chance to tell you… In any case, no matter what happens later, just enjoy the show!"

Du Chen also lowered his voice. "Then, if you secretly dispatch your fleet northward to help me capture Bog Island, will it interfere with Reno's plan?"

"It won't! This will only make my plan even more perfect…"

The two exchanged knowing smiles and walked out of the tavern side-by-side, heading directly for the Exquisite Pagoda in the heart of Emerald City.

…

Strolling along the bustling main street, with many ears around and countless The Masters lurking, no confidential matters could be spoken of. Du Chen lowered his voice and asked about some trivial matters that couldn't be discussed openly. "What kind of man is the Batuk family's Old Master? The rumors I've heard paint him as an old fossil whose temper is more stubborn than a mule's!"

Arthur's slightly somber face blossomed into a sunny smile, as he lowered his voice to tease. "Who told you that?! That person deserves to die, for daring to deceive His Grace, the Grand Duke of Durkus…" He subtly patted his backside, mimicking a stubborn gesture, his voice dropping even lower. "How could a mere mule adequately describe Old Master Yonker? At the very least, he's the obstinate horned donkey demon king of Einz's Great Snow Mountain!"

Du Chen's lips twitched. He glanced at the servant leading the way, barely suppressing a burst of laughter.

Arthur continued, "Yonker is one hundred ninety-seven years old this year, with a total of twenty-eight sons, nineteen daughters, and innumerable grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His temper… let me tell you this: if Old Master Yonker sets his mind on something, even if he knows it's wrong, even if the price is unbearable, he will see it through to the end!"

Du Chen quirked his lips. "Such a person either achieves monumental feats or dies a spectacularly ugly death!"

"Yet Yonker is precisely the former…"

As the two chatted for a few moments, they had already arrived at the foot of the Exquisite Pagoda. After being announced, a servant led them to the domed hall at the top of the tower. Before they even entered, the faint sounds of lively chatter drifted out.

The servant explained, "The commemorative ceremony begins tomorrow. Today is the last day for the guests to gather, and also the day the Old Master hosts a banquet for all the attending dignitaries. Everyone has arrived and is inside!"

As he spoke, the servant pushed open the main doors, revealing a grand, ancient hall, a full three hundred meters square, before Du Chen's eyes. In groups of three and five, there were easily five or six hundred guests!

"Oh, my brother Francis, you've come as well?" A man, with golden curly hair and Papal Robes, stepped forward with a hearty laugh to greet Du Chen. It was Bairu, the Internal Affairs Godfather of the Papal Curia and an old friend of Du Chen's! He had come to attend the ceremony on behalf of His Holiness the Pontiff.

"Eldest Brother Bairu, you're quite early!" Du Chen greeted him warmly. Spotting the Sea King not far away, he shot Bairu a look and deliberately laughed loudly. "Have you met the Sea King yet? The matter His Majesty entrusted to me to discuss with His Majesty Seins went very smoothly, all thanks to His Majesty the Sea King's generosity!"

Bairu understood the hint. "Is that so? Then I must personally thank His Majesty the Sea King on behalf of His Holiness the Pontiff. His Majesty Seins, are you available now?" The two walked over and struck up a conversation with Seins.

Seins offered desultory replies, his narrow eyes fixed on Arthur beside Du Chen, a constant cold sneer playing on his lips. Arthur, not to be outdone, stared back at the Sea King with a chilly gaze.

Du Chen, unwilling to side with either, simply enjoyed the spectacle. Arthur had already made it clear that whatever he did at this moment was part of his plan.

It wasn't just this one spot; the guests attending represented various major powers, and among five or six hundred people, it was inevitable that old enemies would meet and old grievances resurface. However, out of respect for the Batuk family's dignity, no one dared to openly seek vengeance on the spot! The atmosphere throughout the hall persisted in this peculiar state until… the scent of exotic sandalwood permeated the air.

"Prince Yonker has arrived!!!"

With the servant's clear, resonant voice, the hall instantly fell silent. At the northern end of the circular hall, a spry, tall, and slender old man, appearing only in his sixties, emerged. He was clad in the purple-gold robes of a Divine Sovereign, with the design of a Lightning Trident embroidered on his diagonal cape. His silver hair was neatly combed back, each strand distinct, and his pair of deep purple eyes shimmered with a piercing glint that made hearts tremble.

Yonker nodded slightly to the crowd and seated himself on the purple animal hide throne facing south. The people in the hall hastily paid their respects; those close called him "Old Master," while more distant acquaintances respectfully addressed him as "Your Highness the Prince." The hubbub lasted for quite some time, until Yonker, seeing that the greetings had died down, gently waved a hand. "All of you, be seated and listen to this old man speak a few words!"

Expressionless yet radiating the authority of a Prince, Yonker slowly began, "What needs to be said by the Batuk family has, I presume, already been made clear by my welcoming descendants. This old man is too lazy to prattle on further! Frankly, the two-thousandth birthday of our ancestor is a grand occasion, and for all of you to still hold our ancestor Batuk's prestige in your hearts and come to observe the ceremony, that gives my family immense face. This old man is more than delighted, and certainly cannot refuse, but…" He swept a cold gaze over the crowd, a hint of displeasure on his face!

Du Chen rubbed his nose, observing Yonker's expression; it seemed he was looking for trouble with someone…

He glanced at the faintly smiling Arthur beside him. A hint of "as expected" smugness seemed to play on the young man's face!

Hmph, Arthur went straight for the Sea King the moment he arrived. It truly was premeditated!

Indeed, Yonker's voice suddenly turned cold. "Where there are people, there are grievances! Perhaps some of you have already encountered your adversaries in this Exquisite Hall. Even if you dare not act out of respect for my family's dignity, you must surely be plotting in your hearts how to eliminate your enemies! However, this old man tells you now: on the day of our ancestor's commemoration, anyone who dares to resort to violence in Emerald City is trampling on this old man's authority!"

*Smack!* Yonker slapped the armrest of his throne and rose, sternly exclaiming, "Crown Prince Arthur, His Majesty Seins, the two of you engaged in a street brawl right in front of the Exquisite Pagoda the moment you entered the city… Hmph, it seems you didn't heed my warning! Betty, why didn't you inform them of the rules I laid down!?"

Betty, utterly deferential before Yonker, hastily knelt before the throne. "Father, it's not that I didn't inform them…"

"Lady Betty, rise!" The Sea King strode forward, laughing heartily. "Old Master, Lady Betty told me everything she was supposed to. However, your rule states no blood should be shed. Did either Arthur or I shed blood?"

Yonker stared coldly at the Sea King. "His Majesty Seins, are you, the venerable Sea King, also playing such word games to exploit loopholes?"

The old man's tone was severe and sharp; he dared to openly chastise even the Sea King, truly magnificent! Yet, those familiar with him in the hall appeared unsurprised, as if it were only natural. If this old man, more stubborn than a donkey demon king, were to hold back his anger out of consideration for the Sea King's army, he wouldn't be Yonker!

Moreover, the Batuk family truly held the moral high ground in this matter. They had laid down the rules in advance, and yet these two dared to fight in the street? That was simply too disrespectful!

The Sea King approached with a soft, placating voice to apologize. "Old Master, I had no choice! I, Seins, respect the glory of His Majesty Batuk, but someone targeted me the moment I entered the city. Would I wait to die without retaliating?" With that single sentence, he deftly shifted the blame to Arthur. Indeed, it was the young man who had provoked him first!

At this moment, Arthur also came before Yonker, his expression seemingly distraught, yet he maintained his composure as he spoke, "My army and Seins's Garrison Fleet have been in a standoff for three months, suffering tens of thousands of casualties. This blood debt is still fresh in memory…"

"I asked you if you hadn't heard my Batuk family's rules?" Before Arthur could finish, Yonker turned his gaze to him, questioning sternly, "Your Royal Highness, the Lionheart King is renowned as a genius of the Skylands, but this is Emerald City, three thousand li away from Reno, not your Renault Imperial Capital!"

Du Chen sneered internally. How interesting! Was Old Man Yonker genuinely angry with Seins, or were these allies simply putting on an act together?

Under Yonker's gaze, Arthur appeared slightly hesitant and flustered, as if regretting his momentary impulse to provoke the Sea King. "This… this junior truly acted foolishly for a moment, and I am willing to accept punishment! For the prestige of Du Chen, the Divine, and for your venerable dignity, Old Master, please say what you will. Arthur will bear any punishment without a single complaint! I only hope you will consider my grandfather's reputation…"

This display led the curious guests to a consensus: Arthur was still too green. He might have military talent, but ultimately, he was a hothead who had just entered the world, prone to showing off and reckless brawling, mentally immature and in dire need of discipline!

But only Bairu subtly nudged Du Chen, whispering, "This friend of yours is no simple man. He's doing this on purpose, isn't he? If he says that in public, and Old Master Yonker doesn't teach him a lesson, wouldn't it be a loss of his own dignity and a desecration of Du Chen, the Divine's, prestige? Heh heh, he set up this situation to deliberately ask for punishment… Interesting, very interesting!"

Du Chen countered, "What is His Holiness the Pontiff's stance on the Batuk family and the Renault Empire?"

"It has nothing to do with us!"

"Then why ask? Just enjoy the show!"

Bairu was taken aback, then awkwardly closed his mouth.

Arthur played the role of the greenhorn perfectly. Once his plea for mercy was out, the Sea King showed no reaction, but Yonker's eyes narrowed slightly, a brilliant glint shining within them. "Very well, for the Lionheart King's sake, I will not make things difficult for you, a junior! However, as you said, if I don't punish you, wouldn't our ancestor's prestige suffer?"

Arthur quickly interjected, "The Old Master is right. In this junior's opinion, the Batuk family is a lineage of military prowess, and the celebration would be incomplete without a martial display. How about this junior performs some Secret Techniques during the commemoration? What do you think?" For someone of Arthur's status to perform on stage, like an actor, was a form of lowering his status and would sufficiently demonstrate the sincerity of his apology.

Yonker remained silent for a long, considerable time, then slowly nodded.

Arthur couldn't help but show a faint smile. "Old Master, a martial display requires an opponent. May I ask who from your esteemed family will be my opponent?"

The Sea King suddenly spoke. "Old Master, you have so much to attend to during your family's celebration; you probably can't spare anyone. Why don't I accompany Crown Prince Arthur for a few moves?"

Yonker frowned. "Your Majesty, your status…"

"Ha! Though I, Seins, am the Sea King, I have always admired free-spirited masters who care not for mere empty reputation! Besides, I too violated your venerable rules and rightfully deserve punishment!" Seins declared, waving his hand. His past experiences had proven this statement to be true, and the people in the hall found it entirely reasonable!

Yonker suddenly sighed faintly. "Very well, the celebration will last for a month. You two will hold your martial display on the seventh day."

As he spoke, Du Chen saw Arthur clench the fist behind his back tightly…

The Batuk family had regained its prestige, and the culprits who had violated their rules had received their "punishment." The subsequent banquet proceeded amicably. Toasting and exchanging cups, making friends, fawning over the powerful, striking secret agreements… these common scenes at aristocratic banquets unfolded as expected.

It wasn't until midnight that the banquet dispersed with a soft cough from Yonker. In a few hours, it would be the dawn of February 1st, marking the beginning of the month-long celebration. But after sending off the guests, Yonker did not head to the commemoration venue to prepare for the grand opening. Instead, he turned and pushed open a side door behind the Exquisite Hall. Counting carefully, there were six young people in the small partitioned room beyond the door, and Annie was prominently among them.

Sweeping his gaze over the respectful juniors, Yonker asked solemnly, "Among you are my grandsons, great-grandsons, and even fifth-generation descendants… but all of you are the offspring I value! Tell me, what did you see in this room tonight!?"

One young master, whose features closely resembled Annie's, spoke, "Grandfather, your grandson observed the Renault Empire's ambition. Arthur exploited your respect for rules and the Sea King's combative nature to provoke the Sea King into a duel at the celebration…"

Another said, "Great-Grandfather, what I saw was the same as what Uncle Angus saw, but I don't understand how Arthur can be confident challenging the Sea King—though the martial display is meant to stop before serious injury, it's far too easy to 'accidentally' cause harm. Is Arthur not afraid the Sea King will kill him!?"

Yonker nodded to these two descendants, who were instantly overjoyed. Then Yonker continued, "Let me give you some hints: Reno is currently deeply resentful that the Sea King secretly aided the Sober Empire in harassing their maritime borders. Arthur's two hundred thousand strong army is now deployed south of Bog Island, extending all the way to Golden Sands Cape…"

Angus pondered deeply, but ultimately shook his head. "Grandfather, Arthur's target today is the Sea King, and he aims to seize control of the northwestern waters of the Skylands, that much is certain! But… your grandson truly cannot fathom how he can achieve this!"

Yonker said coldly, "Why don't you look at it from another angle? The Sea King's Garrison Fleet is powerful, and Reno's Northern Fleet is not weak either. A direct confrontation between them would be a stalemate! So, when Arthur challenges the Sea King, from another perspective, it means he will use some Secret Technique to trap the Sea King in Emerald City. This way, both the Garrison Fleet and the Northern Fleet will lose their leaders! But while the Sea Clan loses their supreme Emperor, Reno only loses a Crown Prince—they still have a Lionheart King who has never been defeated on the battlefield!"

Angus exclaimed, "Grandfather, I understand! Arthur must have a way to delay Seins, leaving the Garrison Fleet leaderless. And at that moment, the Northern Fleet, though losing a 'tiger's head,' gains a 'dragon's head'… The genius of the Skylands, the Lionheart King, is coming!"

Only then did Yonker reveal a hint of approval. "Yes, the Lionheart King will take advantage of the Garrison Fleet being leaderless, personally leading the Northern Fleet to annihilate their main force!"

Angus eagerly asked, "Grandfather, the Sea King is our ally, why would you sit by and watch him fall into this trap? Has Seins, as a king, not seen through these schemes?"

Yonker did not answer, instead turning his gaze to Annie.

Annie was slightly distracted, lost in thought. Only after Yonker gently coughed did she snap back to reality and answered for her grandfather. "Third Brother, Seins truly did not see through it. He… is indeed a forthright warrior who enjoys showing off and brawling! Such a person might excel as a lone chivalrous hero or a commanding general, but as a king… he is not qualified!"

Having answered the latter part of her brother's question, Annie looked at Yonker.

"Continue," he said.

Annie then continued, "Third Brother, Grandfather is letting the Sea King fall into the trap because he wants to see all the trump cards the Sea King reveals in desperation!"

"All his trump cards? Is there something about Seins that we don't know?"

Annie nodded. "Yes, we are indeed allies with Seins, but starting ten years ago, Seins suddenly displayed two extreme modes of conduct. On the surface, he appears incredibly magnanimous, making people want to drink through the night with him—this is the Seins we know! But secretly, he's full of cunning schemes, resorting to any means to achieve his goals, as if he's become a different person! Seins himself cannot have changed that much, so it must be… someone else behind the Sea King, manipulating or assisting him!"

"Someone else?"

"Yes! Third Brother, haven't you often said you couldn't understand how Seins managed to transport troops underground five years ago to annihilate the Miki Duchy? That person behind him must be the reason!"

Angus nodded gravely. "I understand it all now. The Sea King has someone else behind him, which violates our alliance. So Grandfather wants to clearly see who this shark's true nature truly is!"

"Enough for today. All of you, go prepare for tomorrow's celebration!" Yonker suddenly waved his hand, then removed two rings from his fingers. He tossed one to Annie and the other to Angus. "From today onwards, the eastern coastal trade routes of Yakun will be Angus's responsibility! Annie, the maritime region from Bog Island to Golden Sands Cape is your jurisdiction. Take one thousand Thunder Legion soldiers and keep a close eye on this area!"

Upon hearing this, the young men in the partitioned room stared enviously at Annie. She had actually gained military authority! Heavens! When would they ever possess family military power!?

Whether out of jealousy or envy, no one was resentful, for this was the Batuk family's rule for nurturing the next generation: Yonker would pose challenges at any time, and whoever performed better than others naturally received more.

Amidst the admiring glances, Annie also said in surprise, "Grandfather, the Lionheart King is personally visiting our southern frontier. The Garrison Fleet has sixty thousand troops permanently stationed on Bog Island. And while Du Chen's Divine Cult's intentions are unclear, Francis can also manipulate the Great Triangle Navy through Gode to reverse the situation… The situation in the maritime region from Bog Island to Golden Sands Cape is so complex, your granddaughter is afraid… afraid…"

"You lack confidence?" Yonker extended his hand. "Then return the ring to your grandfather!"

Annie gritted her teeth, clutching the ring tightly. "Grandfather, rest assured, Annie will not fail in her mission!" Yet, a bitter smile played in her heart. *Sigh*, the burden on her shoulders had grown heavier again. She truly wished… she truly wished she could find another shoulder to lean on and have a good cry…

But family competition wouldn't allow her time to cry!

Annie walked out of the room with resolute eyes.

…

In the soundproofed guest room that night, Du Chen and Arthur continued the conversation they couldn't finish during the day.

Arthur's full plan for Reno closely mirrored Yonker's thoughts, though with slight differences in detail, the core was sound! The Lionheart King was coming, that 'old and decrepit lion' as rumored, to cross the sea in white robes, covertly commanding two hundred thousand troops, and with his aged claws, turn the tide with a flick of his hand, sweeping away the main force of the Sea Clan in the Skylands' northwestern waters!

Du Chen couldn't help but feel a little strange. A monarch capable of formulating such a military strategy, daring to venture alone into danger, a commander who could shape events with a flick of his hand… why did everyone say he was old and decrepit? Even Arthur was no exception!

But he simply couldn't bring himself to ask such a question.

Arthur pointed at the strategic map. "That's the general idea, but our original plan was for me to tie up the Sea King here. Without the Sea King, the Garrison Fleet's formations would be discounted by at least thirty percent…" The Durkes City Defense Army could attest to this—the difference in combat power of three thousand city guards with or without Dud was enough to illustrate a commander's impact on an army. "Then my grandfather would personally command the army to annihilate the Garrison Fleet at sea!"

He smiled gleefully. "But you brought me good news. If the remnants of Miki Duchy on Bog Island can cooperate with us, taking advantage of the situation to stir up some unrest in the Sea Clan's lair on Bog Island, that would be even more perfect!" His finger jabbed at a point on the map, Bog Island. "Of course, my Reno will fully support Miki Duchy in restoring its nation!"

Du Chen nodded. "For the sake of restoration, the Miki people will fully assist you! However, I have a question: how can you delay the Sea King in Emerald City? The battle to annihilate the Garrison Fleet will last at least several days and nights. Are you not afraid the Sea King will immediately return upon hearing the news?"

"He won't be able to return!" Arthur sneered coldly, then lightly patted the greatsword on his back. "I deliberately let Seins see this sword today. Now Seins must be thinking, 'This sword is quite good, but it's only suitable for Arthur to use, and it simply cannot compare to a Battle God's sacred artifact!'"

Du Chen's eyes lit up. "So he won't notice any changes to this sword during the duel? What's hidden inside?"

"My grandfather stored an Eleventh-Tier peak Secret Technique inside, meant to save my life!"

Du Chen looked at the greatsword in surprise, but Arthur continued, "Oh, right, our Skylands' Battle God system is different from the other two continents. After the Fallen Gods era, the Ninth-rank peak was separated out, becoming the Tenth-Tier Titled Battle God. The Tenth-rank Battle Gods of the Fallen Gods era were automatically adjusted to Eleventh-Tier…"

Du Chen nodded, recognizing it. This was indeed one of the lessons Steve had taught him when he first reincarnated! Sigurd and Julie were like this; they were Tenth-rank during the Fallen Gods era, but later counted as Eleventh-Tier!

Strictly speaking, today's Pontiff and Dragon God, as well as Xue Ji, were Tenth-rank Battle Gods during the Fallen Gods era, similar in strength to Sigurd. But today, they were considered Eleventh-Tier!

Arthur chuckled. "Actually, my grandfather's title 'Lionheart' was bestowed by the Pontiff. That old man simply found the name majestic and took it for himself—that was sixty years ago! Now, if you use Einz's calculation method, my grandfather's strength is… Twelfth-Tier peak! And hidden within my sword is the strongest strike of Twelfth-Tier peak power!"

Du Chen laughed. "So, the Sea King is dead for sure…"

"That's right, I'll 'accidentally' kill the Sea King, and then my grandfather will seize the opportunity to lead his army north. Simultaneously, the slaves on Bog Island will revolt, and Prince Gode's Great Triangle Navy will outwardly comply but secretly cause trouble… With all this combined, I can't think of a reason why we would fail!"

"Wait!" Du Chen suddenly remembered something, exclaiming, "Annie once hinted to me that there was something wrong with the Sea King, that he was not as simple as he appeared…"